No liquor sale on Maha Asthami, no DJs, roadblocks: BJP government in Bengal outlines new Puja rules

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has announced a complete ban on liquor on Maha Ashtami, the day preceding Durga Puja, marking the first such ban by any Bengal government during a Durga Puja day. During a meeting with Durga Puja committees, Adhikari also prohibited the use of DJ music during immersion processions. The state government has decided to cancel the post-Puja carnival, a feature from the tenure of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari stated that the state will stage a major programme at Eden Gardens to mark the beginning of the festive season. The event will include a four-hour drone and fireworks show, a special programme in Digha after Mahalaya, and cultural programs in six cities across the state. The Chief Minister announced that electricity for puja committees would be provided free of cost, with Rs. One lakh offered to each committee. Puja committees will not be allowed to perform pujas before Mahalaya.

The government will not permit roads and national highways to be blocked in the name of puja celebrations, and officials urged for Durga idol immersions to be completed before Lakshmi Puja. Meanwhile, the BJP faces a food controversy as state party chief Samik Bhattacharya clarified that the party would not dictate Bengalis' dietary choices.